Why DHA is Important in Joint Supplements for Horses
What is DHA and why is DHA important?
Our consultant nutritionist for Equell has written a great article on the importance of Omega 3's and specifically DHA within joint supplements for horses. This ingredient packs a powerful punch and it is important to not be hoodwinked by supplement claims on Omega 3's for joint health unless they are using the only proven form - DHA or EPA - which you will find in the best joint supplements for horses, like Equell Ultraflex.
What’s in a name?
by Jennifer Little
Equine Nutritionist - RNutr
When trying to select feeds for our horses, deciphering what the ingredients are (as listed in the composition) can sometimes feel like a bit of a mine field. I have heard many times the misconception that if an ingredient is hard to pronounce or is one that you may not have heard of, then it must be bad. This is not necessarily the case, and in many cases such an ingredient could be exactly what you are looking for. This article will hopefully demonstrate this by exploring one such preferable inclusion within the best equine joint supplements.
Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA for short. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid, which produces reduced levels of inflammatory reactions (Geor et al 2013). But why is this important? Owners of harder working horses are generally more inclined to want to ensure that they are supporting their horses’ joints (Jackson 2025). These are the same horses that due to their work levels are more likely to require higher inclusions of hard feeds, which often results in higher intakes of omega-6 fatty acids and lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids (Geor et al 2013). Higher omega-6 to omega-3 ratios have been shown to increase inflammatory responses, such inflammatory responses are the pathway of osteoarthritis (OA). The supplementation of DHA has been shown to down regulate this inflammatory process (Calder 2017).
How to Improve Joint Mobility in Horses
Supplementation of DHA in humans and dogs with OA has resulted in decreased inflammation and improvements in clinical signs. In horse’s, supplementation of 3g DHA per day, has been shown to integrate this anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid into a horse’s joints. Contributing to improved lubrication and reduced inflammatory status. This has the potential to resolve inflammatory pathways involved in horses with arthritis and improve joint function (Christmann et al 2021) - great news for horses with stiff joints!
Equell Final Thoughts
There is a solid foundation behind the benefits of supplementing horses with DHA, which is important for joint health and for supporting overall health and well-being. Equell use algae-derived DHA in our joint supplement Ultraflex. For the full picture on what else to look for in a joint supplement beyond DHA, read our complete guide: Finding the Best Equine Joint Supplement for Your Horse.
FAQ's:
How much DHA should my horse get?
Research cited in this article suggests 3g of DHA per day is enough to meaningfully integrate into a horse's joints, supporting improved lubrication and reduced inflammatory status.
Is DHA the same as fish oil or flaxseed oil?
No. Flaxseed (linseed) contains a different omega-3 called ALA, which horses convert to DHA very poorly. DHA needs to be supplied directly - commonly from marine algae - to reliably reach the levels shown to support joint health.
How do I know how much DHA is actually in a supplement?
This is worth checking carefully. Some labels state the weight of marine algae included, rather than the actual finished amount of DHA it delivers - and the two figures can be very different. It takes around 20g of marine algae to create just 3g of DHA. It is important to understand the inclusion levels when comparing supplements and whether that is marine algae, or finished DHA. Our guide on how to read a horse supplement label walks through exactly how to calculate inclusions rates for any product, provided the manufacturer states the active ingredient levels.
Can DHA help horses with arthritis?
Supplements can't treat or cure arthritis, but research suggests DHA supplementation may help support the inflammatory pathways involved in osteoarthritis, supporting comfort and joint function as part of a wider management approach alongside veterinary care.
References
Christmann, U. et al. Dynamics of DHA and EPA supplementation: incorporation into equine plasma, synovial fluid, and surfactant glycerophosphocholines. Metabolomics, [s. l.], v. 17, n. 5, p. 1–10, 2021. Dynamics of DHA and EPA supplementation: incorporation into equine plasma, synovial fluid, and surfactant glycerophosphocholines - PubMed
Calder, P.C 2017Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochemical Society Transactions, 45, 1105-1115
Geor, R.J., Harris, P.J., Coenen, M. Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition. Saunders 2013 p. 143-144
JACKSON, A. The factors that influence owners’ choices to use an oral joint supplement within their show jumping horse’s diet. [s. l.], 2022.
